Nijmegen 4 Day Marches Day 1 - Netherlands 15 July 2014

Nijmegen 4 Day Marches - Day 1
Netherlands
Distance 44km
Tuesday 15 July 2014

I had completed Day 1 and Day 2 of the Scottish Garelochhead Marches which was the two day qualifying march that allowed me to join my friends on this the 98th Nijmegen March.

Today we lined up early in the morning at the camp ready to move to the start.  It was still dark, we were up and ready before the birds dawn chorus.  It took some time waiting and moving slowly to the start before we marched off on day 1.

From the camp we moved down the forest road where we crossed the road then turned left beside some beach volleyball courts then right at this church onto one of the main roads into Nijmegen.

As last year and one of the reason's why I wanted to do this again was the atmosphere, there were thousands of people involved.  Many walking and as many watching.  After a couple of km we crossed the start line where everyone else started from.  Where we merged into a mass of people all walking in the same direction, a turn right and left towards Nijmegen Bridge.  It would be difficult to get lost so to speak as everyone was going the same way, however it could be so easy to lose my friends in the crowds.

The route was the same as last years, after the bridge we walked through a small housing estate, where even at such an early hour people were out sitting on the furniture they had brought from the houses to sit and watch. Bunting was tied up everywhere flags were waving and people offered us drinks, biscuits, sweets and fruit.  We would come across this all the way on every day.

After the houses we walked through a small industrial estate which at the end had a slight climb that took us around so we could see the crowds behind.

We walked behind more houses before walking by some fields towards Bemmel.  Each of the small towns or districts had flags out and bands playing, choir's singing, unbelievable.  The local dignitaries with their chains of office stood saluting and waving as we marched passed.

Not far from Bemmel we took a turn left and headed towards Elst.

It was a little overcast this year, although warm, we did not have the heat today we had last year on day 1, so much better walking conditions.

The bridge that was being built last year was completed and looked good. It was just passed this we could see the bridge we had crossed earlier in the day and this was where we would cross again.

We followed the route back the way we had come, passing through the city finish the seating was in place and the crowds were very loud.  Continuing on the way back to the campsite, we passed the church and the beach volleyball courts, over the road into the more sheltered part of the wood and back to our own finishing point. 

That was Day 1 completed, distance covered 44km. After a little admin, a meal and preparing my kit I was ready to do it all again tomorrow. Excellent.

More to follow

Boz North

Details correct at time of walking.

If you have enjoyed reading my walk or found it useful you may also like to read other walks I have done on The Nijmegen 4 Day Marches or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.

Follow link to next Day 2 Nijmegen March 2014